Central India – a journey through the geographic heart of India, attracting pilgrims and tourists from the world over, to witness the epitome of Cultural Treasures and Traditional Customs. It is a journey through the genteel, royal ambience with ancient colonial relics and timeless monuments of architectural genious. Conservations, conscious wildlife sanctuaries, the erotic Khajuraho Temples, the Religious Ghats of Mother River of India Ganges at Varanasi, wide spanning green forests, Buddhist Sites, and the anomalous Tribal lifestyle are the main attractions of Central India. Various religious celebrations throughout this region round the year illustrates the vibrant and colourful Central Indian lifestyle. Welcome to Central India, welcome to the Heart of India.
Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Meet/transfer to Hotel.
Afternoon, city tour of Mumbai visiting Gate of India erected in 1911, Marine Drive, Prince of Wales Museum, The Aquarium, Hanging Gardens, Dhobi Ghat – an unique and amazing sight in the world where you can see thousands of Washermen cleaning the clothes of the entire city.
Back to hotel after sightseeing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Mumbai
Morning, drive to Gateway of India to go across the harbour for an hour long cruise in Motor Launch to visit Elephanta Caves located on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. These archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The most important among the caves is the great Cave 1, which measures 39 metres from the front entrance to the back. In plan, this cave in the western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena cave at Ellora, in Aurangabad. The layout of the caves, including the pillar components, the placement and division of the caves into different parts, and the provision of a sanctum plan, are important developments in rock-cut architecture.
Post sightseeing cruise back to Gateway of India and transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day free to relax/independent activities/shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Mumbai – Aurangabad
Morning, transfer to airport to connect flight for Aurangabad. Meet/transfer to Hotel.
Afternoon, visit Ellora Caves – a complex of 34 monasteries and temples, extending over an area of more than 2 kms, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, dates back to A.D. 600 to 1000 and brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Ellora is not just a complex of unique artistic creation and architectural exploit but, with its sanctuaries of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of religious tolerance that has been the basic characteristic of ancient India till date.
Post sightsseing, drive back to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Aurangabad
Morning, fullday excursion to Ajanta Caves, about 100 kms from Aurangabad city and considered as the greatest historical monument recognized by the UNESCO. There are 30 caves, built in the earlier 2 century BC-AD & discovered in 1819 A.D., out of which 5 caves are Prayer Halls and rest 25 are monasteries. The paintings at Ajanta Caves dates back from 2nd to 7th century BC-AD and all the paintings shows heavy religious influence, centering around Buddhism, his teachings and incidents in Buddha’s life.
Post sightseeing, drive back to Aurangabad in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Aurangabad – Mandu 355 kms / 6-7 hours drive
Morning, drive to Mandu, one of the most interesting small town of Central India, which is famous for its poet-prince Baz Bahadur and his beautiful consort , Rani Roopmati.
Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Rest of the day free to relax / orientation drive of the place. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Mandu – Omkareshwar – Indore 245 kms / 6-7 hours
Morning sightseeing of the Palace/Fort of Kind Baz Bahadur called Jazaj Mahal (looks life a ship) – which is nothing but a celebration in stone, of life and joy, of love for his consort Roopmati, who was a famous Balladeer of Malwa of her time. It seems the Lady still sings the ballads of the romance of this Royal Couple, sitting in her Royal Chamber of the Palace perched high up on the crest of a hill, her pavilion gazing down at Baz Bahadur’s Palace, a magnificient expression of Afghan Architechture. The entire complex has some extra ordinary architectural marvel in terms of its security and escape routes incase of any enemy attack. Glory of Manu lives on in legends and songs, chronicled for prosperity and most importantly, each of the structures in Mandu are purely architechtural gems , cynosure for an Architectures eyes.
Post sightseeing,
Post sightseeing, leave Mandu and drive to Omkareshwar, about 80kms from Mandu, one of the holy towns for Hindu Religion, specially for the devotees of Lord Shiva (one of the 12 enshrined Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in India and considered to be the complete pilgrimage circuit for Lord Shiva Divotees), located at the confluence of two of the sacred rivers of India – Narmada and Kaveri. Omkareshwar is considered to be the best pilgrimage centre for Hindus in Central India (Madhya Pradesh). The most significant aspect about this place is the fact that this place OMKARESHWAR appears to be in the shape of HINDU “AUM” SYMBOL – the Cosmic Sound of this Universe, the highest Universal Principle, the Ultimate Reality. Besides the religious factor, scenic beauty of this place has been a great attraction for tourists to visit this place.
Post sightseeing, continue your drive for another 80kms /2 hours approx. to reach Indore and check-in at Hotel.
Rest of the day free to relax or drive around the city of Indore, the most cleanest and hygienic city of India, also known as the Financial Capital of Madhya Pradesh (Central India) or MINI MUMBAI. This city is paradise for foodies as the city boasts of its great STREET FOOD COURT area unmatched through the country. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : Indiore – Ujjain – Bhopal / 185 kms / 6-7 hours
Morning, leave Indore for Ujjain, 55kms / about an hour’s drive, the small town stands glamorously as one of the most sacred and holy place for Hindus and also one of the 12 enshrined Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva circuit. The early history of Ujjain is lost in the midst of antiquity. It is located on the banks of sacred River Shipra and is also one of the four holy and sacred places in India to hold the biggest Religious congregation in the world – KUMBH MELA, which is held regularly every after 6 and 12 years. Ujjain represents the classic example of an interesting blending of age old legacy and modern day lifestyle.
After the visit, continue your drive for another 195kms / aprox. 4-5 hours to reach Bhopal, the capital of Central India. Uopon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Rest of the afternoon/evening free at leisure to relax of for an orientation drive of the city which is the most greenest city in India and also knows as the CITY OF LAKES.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Bhopal – Sanchi – Udaigiri – Bhopal
Morning, drive to Udaigiri Caves, about 60kms from Bhopal, the spurts of creative outpourings of the Guptas were legendary and served as the hallmark of the dynasty. These are a group of 20 rock-cut Cave Shrines believed to be the abodes of Buddhist Monks in 2nd Century BC.. Sculpted into a sandstone hill, they truly beautify the landscapes of the place. According to an inscription etched on one of the caves, they trace their origin to the imperial rule of Chandragupta II (382-401 AD.). These caves comprises of both Hinduism and Jainism faiths that run in sequence, one after the other.
Post sightseeing, drive back approx. 15kms to arrive at SANCHI STUPA, which has the singular distinction of having remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture right from the early Mauryan period (3rd Century BC). Sanchi is world famous for its monolithic Asokan Pillar, Temples, Monasteries and sculptural wealth. It was Emperor Ashoka who laid the foundation of a religious centre at Sanchi, fascinated probably by the location of the hill or because of his bloved Queen Devi’s wish. The grand structure still inspires awe today and sits at the top of a hill, surrounded by the remains of smaller stupas, monasteries, and temples that were built as the religious community grew in the centuries after the site was founded.
Post sightseeing, drive back to Bhopal. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Bhopal – Agra
Morning city tour of Bhopal visitng the Lake Bharat Bhawan, Shamla Hills, Old Bhopal Taj Ul Mosque and Palace of Nawab of Bhopal.
Afternoon, transfer to Railway Station to connect Shatabdi Express Train for Agra, about 5 & Half hours journey.
Meet/pick-up from Bhopal Railway Station and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Agra – Delhi
Morning excursion to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar built by Red Sandstone. Back to Agra after the sightseeing.
Afternoon city tour of Agra visiting TAJ MAHAL, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah and drive around the local markets.
Late Evening, transfer to Agra Railway Station to connect Shatabdi Express Train for Delhi, about two hours journey.
Meet/pick up from New Delhi Railway Station and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Delhi
Morning sightseeing of Old Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Mosque, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat .
Afternoon, sightseeingof New Delhi visiting Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, orientation drive through New Delhi’s Diplomatic Areas, India Gate, Parliament House, President’s House, Connaught Place the heart and central commercial district of the city.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Departure Delhi
Morning, transfer to airport to connect flight for your journey back home/onward destination.
